Electric-sign socket



Sept. 17, 1929.

F. D. PITT ELECTRIC S IGN SOCKET File'd Aug. 12, 1927 Z R .H z w W N O 1 mi? 4 E T M M M V w 7 m hlmulll 'n' Patented Sept 17, 1929 UNITED STATES PATEN r OFFICE nLnctrRIo-smiv sooKE'r Application filed August 12, 1927. Serial No. 212,491;

My invention relates to lamp sockets and more particularly to a device of that character for use in connection with signs or like devices having display surfaces which it is desired to illuminate without disfigurement or interference by the socket mounting or service Wires; the principal object of the invention being to provide a socket which may be securely attached to the base or background of the sign or other device and connected with the service wires at the rear thereof.

It is a further object of the invention to produce a device of this character wherein the service wires may be received in a single cable housing.

In accomplishing these objects I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a socket embodying my invention illustrating its application to a display device.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the socket elements in dissociated but relative relation.

Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section of the socket, illustrating application to service wires.

Referring in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a sign or ornamental display element. provided with a background or base plate 2 having an aperture 3 for reception of the socket element 4 of a lamp mounting generally designated a lamp socket. A bulb 5 is received by the socket element, served with current through the cord 6.

The socket element 4 is preferably formed of porcelain or similar substance and comprises a tubular body portion 7 having exterior threads 8 at its inner end and an annular rib 9 at its outer end forming a stop shoulder 10; the inner end of the element being closed and provided with the usual apertures 11 for receiving binding posts in accordance with common practice.

A conventional coarse-threaded contacting sleeve 12 is provided for receiving the threaded shank of a lamp within the socket element, and the usual terminal elements 13 and 14; and a resilient contact member 15 are also provided, all suitably connected in the usual manner so that the bulb, when screwthreadedly projected into the sleeve intocontact with the member 15, may establish an illuminating circuit in the Well understood manner.

A cap 16 is provided, which constitutes a housing element for the terminals on the socket element and is also formed of porcelain and glazed, the housing element comprising a tubular body portion 17 having interior screw threads 18 for engagement with the socket element, and a closure portion 19 having the single light cord opening 20.

The housing element is designed to fit over the tubularsocket element, partly for the housing and protection of the light cord and contact and terminal members, but also to serve asa retaining member to secure the background element 2 of the sign in engagement with the shoulder of the socket element.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the background plate 2 is mounted on the socket element so i that edges 21 thereof adjacent theopening S are seated upon the shoulder 10 of the socket element. The 1 housing element presses the background plate against the shoulder and establishes the plate and socket element in firm relation. Agasket 22 which may be of rubber, asbestos or other suitable material, and preferably having insulating and resilient qualities, is installed to receive the pressure by the housing element, the gasket being preferably positioned between the plate and the shoulder.

I call particular attention to the provision of the integral housing element 16 having the single light cord opening 20. The structure here offered represents an improvement over the elements ordinarily provided wherein the tubular body portion is a separate member from the closure portion and mated grooves are provided in the two members for the separate introduction of the individual wires of the light cord into the housing and to the socket terminals. My provision of the integral housing member and of the single light cord opening the-rein permits me to introduce the cable or cord 6 into the housing and to tie the separate wires 23 and 24 of the cord to provide a desired knot whereby the housing may take up the strain on the cord, ample space for a knot thereof being provided by a chamber 25 produced in the housing by the spacing of the closure member from the terminal end of the socket element.

The structure having been provided as described, the sign element may be mounted on a socket element by projecting the background plate over the tubular portion of the socket element to seat the edges on the shoulder, or on a gasket previously installed on the shoulder.

The housing element 16 is presumed to have been strung on the light cord, and the wires separated, knotted, and connected to the terminal posts. The housing is then screwed onto the socket element to tightly press the background plate edges against the gasket and the shoulder. The gasket serves to reduce the hazard of entrance of moisture 'intothe socket member and also provides a relatively yielding and compressible cushion between the background plate and the porcelain or similar surface of the socket member.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A socket of the character described including a non-conductive socket member having an exterior annular shoulder and exterior threads, and a non-conductive cap threaded onto the socket member to bind a carrying element between the end of the cap and the shoulder of the socket member and provide a chamber within thecap at the end of the socket member, a conductive sleeve in the socket member, a contact member projected into the socket member, and wires projected through the cap connected respectively with the contact member and sleeve and knotted within the cap chamber for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' FREDERICK D. PITT. 

